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No Holding Back: Operation Totalize, Normandy, August 1944 (Stackpole Military History Series) Kindle Edition
On the morning of August 8, 1944, the Canadian Army roared into action in Operation Totalize, a massive armored attack that aimed to break through enemy defenses south of Caen and trap the Germans in Normandy by linking up with Patton’s U.S. Third Army. After initial gains, the assault lost momentum and failed to achieve all of its objectives. Brian A. Reid’s landmark account the strategic context and planning of this controversial operation, details the actions of the men who fought and bled in this sector of Normandy, and sheds new light on who killed German panzer ace Michael Wittmann.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherStackpole Books
- Publication dateJune 14, 2023
- File size28772 KB
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Product details
- ASIN : B01NCQZRHH
- Publisher : Stackpole Books; Illustrated edition (June 14, 2023)
- Publication date : June 14, 2023
- Language : English
- File size : 28772 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Sticky notes : On Kindle Scribe
- Print length : 684 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,105,713 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #30 in Military History of Canada
- #145 in Canadian Military History
- #852 in Military Strategy History (Kindle Store)
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Brian Reid is starting from a review of the history of the Canadian army command and the Canadian army between the wars, to address the capabilities of the men who were in charge of the Canadian formations, and to understand the limitations that were placed on the ability of Canada to field large-scale formations capably of undertaking complex operations.
He then proceeds to discuss in detail the strategic background and the operational planning of TOTALIZE, including a detailed review of the air and artillery plans (the latter probably a first), and the battle plans for the individual divisions. The second half of the book is devoted to the narrative of the battle itself, while the appendix is covering such interesting issues as the use of airpower in support of ground operations, a discussion of comparative tank capabilities of the two sides, a new take on who really killed Michael Wittmann (Reid maintains it was not Trooper Ekins, without taking anything away from him), and a short article by John Grodzinski on the history of 1st Polish Armoured Division.
The narrative is superbly supported by excellent maps, photos, detailed vehicle drawings with a wealth of information, drawings of the columns used in the approach march during the night operation, and schematic drawings and tables outlining complex military items such as TO&Es, or the artillery fireplan.
For the battle narrative, he relies on witnesses through direct or written testimony, as well as primary and secondary sources. The only item of criticism here is that it would have been nice to see more original sources on the German side of things. This is made up for to some degree by the use of Canadian army documents referencing captured German records, but a spell in the archives with the German record would have taken this book from `superb' to `stunning'. Within the confines of wanting to provide a record of the operation from the Canadian perspective, this omission can be excused, however.
Reid's style is direct, no-nonsense. He dishes out criticism and praise in equal measure, whether it relates to historians, or soldiers on either side. His writing is certainly coloured by being a member of the Canadian Army in the 1950s and 60s, but only in that it appears to make him more blunt in his criticism of this very army. For example, he refers to Brigadier Booth's performance in TOTALIZE as `professionally inadequate and personally disgraceful.'.
Highly recommended, and his promised book on TRACTABLE is looking to be another `must-buy'. Based on this and Donald Graves' book, I would unhesitatingly part with my cash to buy any book from Robin Brass Studios that covers a topic of interest to me. They cannot be praised highly enough.
Summary: Well researched, interestingly written, and superbly illustrated - I wish there were more books like this!
Although Brian Reid's "No Holding Back" focuses on OPERATION TOTALIZE, one of the (many) operations conducted on the left flank of the Allied Forces in Normandy in August 1944 to (finally) break out of the post D-Day bridgehead, the book covers a lot more of the (often under-reported and under-appreciated) role that Canada and Canadians played in World War II. This well researched and interestingly written work provides the reader with information, in word and abundant, high-quality graphics, regarding the Canadian WWII military establishment, its strategies, and equipment. But as if that was not already noteworthy enough, where Reid's narrative truly shines, is in the description of the tactical plans and of the execution of the operation. Reid is a soldier-scholar, and the fact comes out on every page that he not only understands the topic and the mind set of commanders and soldiers alike, but that he also clearly did extensive research and thinking on the subject. This is not "just another" World War II book that re-tells the same story or stories; instead, Reid analyzes, comments, and puts into perspective information from a variety of primary and secondary sources. He does so in an unerringly readable style: sometimes witty, sometimes sympathetic, and and other times sharply critical, yet always appropriate, decent, and entertaining. Finally, like everything that I have seen done by Robin Brass Studio, this book contains superb illustrations (especially maps and line drawings of equipment) that really support the narrative. Unlike in other books on the subject, here, all references to locations, directions, etc., can actually be found on the maps -- which makes the latter not only extremely helpful, but clearly indicates that this book was well thought out and meticulously executed!
I don't know whether the second "instalment of a two-part study" [i.e., on OPERATION TRACTABLE] that Reid hinted at in his Introduction will be forthcoming, but if it is anything like "No Holding Back," I cannot wait to read it!
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This book on Operation Totalize was of particular interest to me personally because my father participated in the operation, but was killed in action on August 9th 1944 after his armoured brigade broke through enemy lines in the Caen - Falaise area the previous night.
He is mentioned in the book.
The book is enhanced by crisp line drawings as well as an interesting selection of photographs, interspersed with the text, and excellent maps. The Robin Brass Studio has set a very high standard in production and further works from this source will be looked forward to by many.
The Appendix analysing the demise of Michael Wittmann is by itself almost worth the asking price...I too await subsequent books from this author and the publisher with keen anticipation !